Candidates warn Westerly's wastewater upgrades may not add development capacity

Several candidates warned that Westerly's major wastewater investment is focused on meeting environmental standards rather than creating substantial extra capacity for new development. John Gagne said the town's discharge permit allows about "3,300,000 gallons discharged into the river" and cited an engineering report that estimated room for perhaps "100 units, maybe more." He framed the upgrade as essential for water quality but insufficient for unconstrained growth.